The city of Kent will receive one state grant of $3.15 million and another one of $3 million to help renovate Uplands Playfield Park and expand Clark Lake Park.
The Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office announced Tuesday, Oct. 22 the award of 29 grants across the state to build or improve outdoor recreation facilities, many in communities with too few or dilapidated parks.
“We know that spending time outside provides so many mental and physical health benefits,” said Megan Duffy, the Recreation and Conservation Office director. “These grants will infuse much needed funding into communities that have too few recreational opportunities so more people can enjoy the benefits.”
Kent had to compete against projects across the nation for the $3.15 million Uplands Playfield Park grant. The park is downtown at 836 W. Smith St, just east of Highway 167 and south of the Maleng Regional Justice Center.
The city will use the grant to replace ball fields in the park with a water spray park, the first in Kent, and a children’s play area and other park amenities such as connections to a regional trail, a picnic shelter and shade structure.
Design will be done in 2025 and the spray park could open in 2026, said City Parks Director Julie Parascondola.
The money is from the Land and Water Conservation Fund, a federal grant program funded by the selling and leasing of offshore oil and gas resources. A specialty program called Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership, is set up to help larger cities create or reinvigorate outdoor recreation spaces in park-deprived areas. The city of Kent was the only applicant in Washington, according to the state Recreation and Conservation Office.
“We’re very excited to see so many of these grants go to communities in need,” Duffy said. “The positive impacts of great outdoor spaces in communities can’t be overstated. They create community gathering places, contribute to mental and physical health and can provide a boost to local businesses.”
The city will use the $3 million Clark Lake Park grant to help purchase the remaining 17 acres of private land near the park, giving the city 150 acres. The parking lot entrance to the park is at 12520 SE 240th St.
The additional acres will allow for completion of a loop trail with views of Clark Lake and opportunities for a more formal use area in the park. The park is used mostly for walking, hiking, birdwatching, and other passive-use recreation.
Kent purchased the final 17 acres, which are south of the lake, in October 2022 for $7.2 million from the Ruth family. State and federal grants, a $2 million King County grant and city funds cover the price.
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Clark Lake Park on the East Hill in Kent. The city received a state grant of $3 million to help purchase the last piece of private property near the lake. COURTESY PHOTO, City of Kent
